Holder and roller of collapsible tubes



Oct. 8, 1957 J. FARROW HOLDER AND ROLLER 0F COLLAPSIBLE TUBES FiledApril 27, 1956 I N V EN TOR Jaw/=11 Eweaw BY W 8 A 770M517 United StatesPatent 6 f HOLDER AND ROLLER F COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Joseph Farrow, NewYork, N. Y.

Application April 27, 1956, Serial No. 581,215

7 Claims. (Cl. 222-100) This invention relates to devices for holdingand rolling collapsible tubes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for holdingand rolling collapsible tubes whereby the tube will be held in anupright position on a base and the tube automatically rolled andcompressed to ex pel its contents without removing it therefrom.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device of theabove type wherein a sliding'action against the tube is applied as thesame is rolled and compressed to insure the complete expelling of thecontents from the collapsible tube at all times.

A further object is to provide a device of this type wherein the tube isprotected against puncture when in supported position.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a device forholding and rolling collapsible tubes bearing the above objects in mindwhich is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, ischaracterized by a minimum number of parts, is easy to use and efficientin operation.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:i

Fig. l is a perspective view of a device for holding and rollingcollapsible tubes embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken along the line 22 ofFig. 1, showing a fully loaded tube in supported position in dash-dotlines.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view thereof, shown partly in section, andpartly broken away, taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the parts comprising theinvention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a collapsible tubeadapted to be used with the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the position of the partswhen the supply or substance in this collapsible tube is completelyexhausted.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, the device includes arectangular base 10 integrally formed around its periphery with adownwardly extending flange 11, forming a pedestal for the device. Thebase portion 10 near one end is provided with a transverse rectangularslot 11 for a purpose which will hereinafter become clear. A hearingbracket 12 of substantially inverted U-shaped cross section isintegrally formed along its lower free edges with flanges 13 bymeans ofwhich it is suitably secured to, the top .of the base 10 on each .sideof the slot 11*-,-the bracket 12 being provided with aligned rectangularopenings 14 having rounded corners and ends.

2,808,963 Patented Oct. 8, 1957 ice A hollow cylindrical tube 15 adaptedto pass through the aligned openings 14 is provided at one end with aninwardly extending longitudinal slot 16 and at the other end with aninwardly extending slot 17. A collar 18 is mounted on the solid portionof the tube 15 intermediate the inner ends of the slots 16 and 17, saidcollar 18 being positioned for rotational movement with the tube 15within the bracket 12. The collar 18, it will be apparent, will preventlongitudinal displacement of the tube 15 relative to the bracket 12(Fig. 3). A wingshaped handle 19 is suitably secured within the slot 17whereby to facilitate turning of the tube 15, as will be obvious.

The device is also provided with a longitudinal side wall 20 formedalong its lower edge with a flange. 21 by means of which the wall issecured in any suitable manner to one longitudinal side of base 10 (Fig.2). The upper edge of the wall 20 is integrally formed with an inwardlyand downwardly directed guiding lip 22 extending therealong. It will benoted that the guiding lip does not extend the entire length of the wall2%, but terminates short of one end thereof, the upper corner of saidend being provided with an opening 23. A side wall 24 is provided on theopposite side of the device and integrally formed along its lower edgewith a flange 25 by means of which it is suitably secured to the top ofbase 10 along one longitudinal edge thereof, the upper edge of the wall24 being integrally formed with a horizontal portion 26 which terminatesin an inwardly and downwardly extending guide lip 27. It will be notedthat the horizontal portion 26 and the guide lip 27 do not extend theentire length of the wall 24, but terminate short of one upper cornerthereof, which corner is provided with an opening 28 aligned withopening 23. A pin 29 passes through the top of the bracket 12 and hasthe ends thereof received within the openings 23 and 28, tying the wallstogether and imparting greater rigidity to the side walls 20 and 24.

The walls form a hollow casing through which the tube 15 extends, withits slot 16 in line with the opening or space provided between theextreme inner ends of lips 22 and 27. The end of the casing oppositebracket 12 is open.

It will be noted that the slanting formation of the lips 22 and 27provide a hopper-like passage and guide for inserting the bottom taperedend of a collapsible tube of toothpaste or the like 30 into the interiorof the device when the opening between the guide lips 22 and 27 isaligned with the slot 16, the bottom closure 31 of the tube beingreceived within the slot 16 of tube 15, as shown in Fig. 2. Uponrotation of the handle 19 in a clockwise direction, the tube 30 will bedrawn downwardly, compressed between the lips 22 and 27 and wound aroundthe tube 15. Due to the loose mounting of the tube 15 in elongated slot14 as the tube 30 is wound therearound, the tube 30 is forced laterallyto the right hand end of the slot as shown in Fig. 6. When the entiretube has been thus compressed and emptied, it is only necessary to slideit laterally out through the open end of the device.

The tube 15 may be disassembled by withdrawing it longitudinally throughthe openings 14 of the bracket 12, after which the collar 18 dropsthrough the slot 11 The device may be cast or molded as an alternateform of construction. It may also be made in various colors to increasethe attractiveness of the same, preferably by spraying and baking.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is to be' understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise construction herein disclosed and that various changes andmodifications may 3 be within the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a holder for collapsible tubes, the combination of, a base,oppositely disposed, longitudinal side walls provided on said base, theupper edge of one of said side walls having an inwardly and downwardlyextending guide lip, the upper longitudinal edge of the other of saidside walls having a laterally extending portion, a downwardly andinwardly extending guide lip formed along the inner edge of saidhorizontally extending portion adapted to cooperate with said firstguide lip whereby to provide a hopper-like opening, a hollow elongatedtube having an inwardly extending slot extending substantially thelength thereof, bearing means for rotatably mounting said tube belowsaid hopper-like opening with the longitudinal axis of said tubedisplaced laterally from said hopper-like opening, and means for turningsaid tube, said bearing means comprising a double-end wall mounted onsaid base, said double-end wall having longitudinally aligned, elongatedopenings therein adapted to receive said tube therethrough.

2. In a holder for collapsible tubes, the combination of, a base,oppositely disposed, longitudinal side walls provided on said base, theupper edge of one of said side walls having an inwardly and downwardlyextending guide lip, the upper longitudinal edge of the other of saidside walls having a laterally extending portion, a

downwardly and inwardly extending guide lip formed along the inner edgeof said horizontally extending portion adapted to cooperate with saidfirst guide lip whereby to provide a hopper-like opening, a hollowelongated tube having an inwardly extending slot extending substantiallythe length thereof, bearing means for rotatably mounting said tube belowsaid hopper-like opening with the longitudinal axis of said tubedisplaced laterally from said hopper-like opening, and means for turningsaid tube, said bearing means comprising a double-end Wall mounted onsaid base, said double-end Wall having longitudinally aligned, elongatedopenings therein adapted to receive said tube therethrough, said firstand second guide lips terminating short of the ends of said side wallsadjacent said double-end wall providing a clearance to receive saiddouble-end wall therebetween, and a pin passing between said double-endwall and connected at opposite ends to said side walls.

3. In a holder for collapsible tubes, the combination of, a base,oppositely disposed, longitudinal side walls provided on said base, theupper edge of one of said side walls having an inwardly and downwardlyextending guide lip, the upper longitudinal edge of the other of saidside walls having a laterally extending portion, a downwardly andinwardly extending guide lip formed along the inner edge of saidhorizontally extending portion adapted to cooperate with said firstguide lip whereby to provide a hopper-like opening, a hollow elongatedtube having an inwardly extending slot extending substantially thelength thereof, bearing means for rotatably mounting said tube belowsaid hopper-like opening with the longitudinal axis of said tubedisplaced laterally from said hopper-like opening, and means for turningsaid tube, said bearing means comprising a double-end wall mounted onsaid base, said double-end wall having longitudinally aligned, elongatedopenings therein adapted to receive said tube therethrough, said meansfor rotatively mounting said tube including a collar mounted on saidtube intermediate said double-end walls.

4. In a holder for collapsibletubes, the combination of, a base,oppositely disposed, longitudinal side walls provided on said base, theupper edge of one of said side walls having an inwardly and downwardlyextending guide lip, the upper longitudinal edge of the other of saidside walls having a laterally extending portion, a downwardly andinwardly extending guide lip formed along the inner edge of saidhorizontally extending portion adapted to cooperate with said firstguide lip whereby to provide a hopper-like opening, a hollow elongatedtube having an inwardly extending slot extending substantially thelength thereof, bearing means for rotatably mounting said tube belowsaid hopper-like opening with the longitudinal axis of said tubedisplaced laterally from said hopper-like opening, and means for turningsaid tube, said bearing means comprising a double-end wall mounted onsaid base, said double-end wall having longitudinally aligned, elongatedopenings therein adapted to receive said tube therethrough, said meansfor rotatively mounting said tube including a collar mounted on saidtube in the space intermediate the wall elements of said double-endwall, said base having a rectangular slot aligned with the space betweenthe elements of said double-end wall to facilitate dismounting of saidcollar from said tube.

5. In a holder for collapsible tubes, the combination of, a base,oppositely disposed, longitudinal side walls provided on said base, theupper edge of one of said side walls having an inwardly and downwardlyextending guide lip, the upper longitudinal edge of the other of saidside walls having a laterally extending portion, a downwardly andinwardly extending guide lip formed along the inner edge of saidhorizontally extending portion adapted to cooperate with said firstguide lip whereby to provide a hopper-like opening, a hollow elongatedtube having an inwardly extending slot extending substantially thelength thereof, bearing means for rotatably mounting said tube belowsaid hopper-like opening with the longitudinal axis of said tubedisplaced laterally from said hopper-like opening, and means for turningsaid tube, said bearing means comprising a double-end wall mounted onsaid base, said double-end wall having longitudinally :aligned,elongated openings therein adapted to receive said tube therethrough,said means for turning said tube comprising said tube at its endadjacent said bearing means having an inwardly extending slot, and asubstantially wing-shaped handle secured within said slot.

6. In a holder for collapsible tubes, the combination of, a base,oppositely disposed, longitudinal side walls provided on said base, theupper edge of one of said side walls having an inwardly and downwardlyextending guide lip, the upper longitudinal edge of the other of saidside walls having a laterally extending portion, a downwardly andinwardly extending guide lip formed along the inner edge of saidhorizontally extending portion adapted to cooperate with said firstguide lip whereby to provide a hopper-like opening, a hollow elongatedtube having an inwardly extending slot extending substantially thelength thereof, bearing means for rotatably mounting said tube belowsaid hopper-like opening with the longitudinal axis of said tubedisplaced laterally from said hopper-like opening, and means for turningsaid tube, said bearing means comprising a double-end wall mounted onsaid base, said double-end wall having longitudinally aligned, elongatedopenings therein adapted to receive said tube therethrough, said meansfor turning said tube comprising said tube at its end adjacent saidbearing means having an inwardly extending slot, and a substantiallywing-shaped handle secured within said slot, said base around itsperiphery being integrally formed with a downwardly extending wallwhereby to provide a pedestal, said side walls at their lowerlongitudinal edges being integrally formed with laterally extendingflanges secured to the top of said base, said double-end wall comprisinga substantially inverted U-shaped bracket integrally formed along itslower free edges with laterally extending flanges adapted to be securedto the upper face of said base.

7. In a holder for collapsible tubes, the combination of, a base, a pairof longitudinal side walls on said base having their upper edgesinwardly and downwardly bent whereby to provide a hopper-like opening, abearing opening whereby upon winding of the collapsible supply tubearound the hollow tube said hollow tube moves along the opening in thebracket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,643,028 Clark June 23, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 724,963 France Feb. 5,1932

